Thenford Arboretum
Michael Heseltine and his wife Anne purchased Thenford house in 1976, and over the next twenty five years they set about restoring over 40 acres of woodland. In order to help with the replanting programme the Heseltines sought advice from some of the leading horticultural leaders of the time, including Lanning Roper, Sir Harold Hillier, Roy Lancaster and Keith Rushforth.
The eighteenth century woodland had been grown for its commercial value. The Heseltines widened the choice of trees and shrubs and thus laid the foundations of the present collection. It was around the turn of the century and free of the responsibilities of the government that the Heseltines decided to create a range of ornamental features and seriously enhance the quality of the collection.
The arboretum, now spread out over seventy acres, features a collection of more than three thousand different trees and shrubs, together with extensive herbaceous borders, water gardens, an alpine trough garden, a sculpture garden, a rose garden and a rill as well as a collection of over 600 different types of snowdrops. The medieval fish ponds, their interconnecting canal and the existing lake have been restored and two new ones have been added. An eighteenth century avenue of mature yews has been cleared of self seeded shrubs and saplings, and returned to its former grandeur.
Awarded National Collection Snowdrops in 2023
Fact File
2026 Open days: Snowdrop Open days: Wednesday 28th 1-4.30pm, January 2026, February Saturday 14th 10- 4.30pm
Friday 20th 1- 4.30pm, Tuesday 24th 1- 4.30pm, February 2026. April: Friday 10th April - 2-5.30pm, Saturday 25th April - 2-5.30pm, May: Friday 8th May Wednesday 13th May - 2-5.30pm, Thursday 28th 2-5.30pm, June: Saturday 13th June - 2-5.30pm, Friday 19th 2-5.30pm, Friday 26th June - 2-5.30pm. July: Wednesday 1stJuly - 2-5.30pm, Friday 10th July - 2-5.30pm, Friday 31st July 2-5.30pm. August: Saturday 1st August - 2-5.30pm, September: Friday 4th September - 2-5.30pm. October: Saturday 17th October - 2-5.30pm,
Friday 23rd October - 2-5.30pm, Friday 30th October - 2-5.30pm.
For further information see our website www.thenfordarboretum.com
Admissions: £16 per person please see the website on how to apply for tickets.
Group Tours: We accept groups of most sizes but coach parking is limited.
Facilities: Wall Garden, Sculpture garden and Arboretum, tea is also available.
Events: Please see the website for more information on up coming events.
Disables access: Thenford Arboretum has step-free access and priority parking available in close proximity. Assistance dogs welcome. Please be advised there is rough terrain in some parts and the perimeter of the gardens is extensive (70 acres)
Toilets: Yes including disabled toilets at the Visitor Centre.
Coach/car parking: Coach parking is limited so please enquire when booking. Car parking is free of charge.
Length of visit: We would recommend 2 hours .
Email: enquires@thenford.com
Website: www.thenfordarboretum.com
Location: 5 miles from Banbury, Oxfordshire, please see the website for directions.
Updated: January 2026